Anderson says 'No!' to fracking
Sinn Féin MEP and Environment Committee member, Martina Anderson has voted in the European Parliament against the exploration and extraction of shale gas.
Speaking from Brussels she welcomed the outcome of the vote.
"Among the encouraging proposals voted by the Environment Committee are; mandatory environmental impact assessments for fracking projects, the exclusion of EU funding for the shale gas industry and the obligation for fracking companies to declare which chemicals are used in the fracking process."
"Given the associated risks with the process used to extract shale gas known as hydraulic fracturing or 'fracking', it is baffling that a more robust system of regulation is not already in place. Local communities' concerns regarding the environment and public health must outweigh any commercial and monetary incentives for large gas companies."
"The very real and dangerous risks of water contamination and noise pollution from fracking have the potential to seriously damage both agriculture and tourism - two very important sectors of Ireland's economy. Even before exploration of the gas begins an Environmental Impact Assessment should be an absolute necessity. There is too much at stake to continue with these risks."
"Indeed, at a time when we are quickly heading towards a point-of-no-return with climate change and the environment, it seems that we're missing the bigger picture. With an agreed upon need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is essential that we move away from the business-as-usual use of fossil fuels and towards renewable energies and a greener, safer and more sustainable economy."